@jareko if you look at my virtual system you will see the (somewhat extensive) steps I have gone to to optimize around the Vivaldi. As you note such details as footers, power cords, cabling, clocking, damping all matter and are very audible.
However even with all of the above I for one would never choose to listen to it direct when I have the option of a pre-amp like the Ref 40.
This of course is in my system, built up to suit my preferences, silver cable and all.
The continued observations of "experts" who based only on specs and their biases know what other users systems sound like and which is obviously "best" is one of the mysteries of on line forums such as AudioGon
My rule is to take note of input based on personal experience only and discount all others
However even with all of the above I for one would never choose to listen to it direct when I have the option of a pre-amp like the Ref 40.
This of course is in my system, built up to suit my preferences, silver cable and all.
The continued observations of "experts" who based only on specs and their biases know what other users systems sound like and which is obviously "best" is one of the mysteries of on line forums such as AudioGon
My rule is to take note of input based on personal experience only and discount all others